Photos: Hiding from Snipers

Watching for snipers down Ratchaprarop Road

Two protesters were killed at this corner the night before. A witness told me that army snipers in the buildings ahead of us had been shooting anything that moved. He said one of the protesters bled out and died because snipers kept the ambulance from approaching.

Okay, I’ll admit it: curiosity got the better of common sense.I’d planned on staying in the quiet Banglamphoo district and avoiding the ongoing fighting between the army and protesters. And I successfully did so for a full two hours, then gave in and headed downtown.

I ended up at a corner of Ratchaprarop Road, about a quarter-mile away from the Ratchaprarop-DinDaeng intersection where heavy fighting had continued since the previous day. As I walked up the street, I noticed that a large number of Thais were gathered on a side street and peering carefully around the corner. As I joined them, a young woman said “sniper”, pointed down the street, and made a slitting gesture across her throat.

I looked down and saw a fresh bullet hole in the curb at my feet. Then I looked to my right and realized I was standing next to a young red shirt supporter who was wearing a black ski mask and taking photos. I quickly decided that this might not be the best spot to hang out and moved to the other side of the street, where I spent a few hours listening to distant gunfire and talking to people about what had occurred there in the last 24 hours.

Er … ok, tempting tho it may be to get close to the action, dont put yourself at risk of getting hurt or worse. Good story vs tragic end to your long planned and hard earned trip. Would you hide round the corner from a sniper in any other place in the world, do you have a false sense of safety because the lovely Thai people are so peaceful usually? Sorry, its maybe not my place to say this but please take care and be safe eg. get back from the action!

These pictures are really interesting. I think curiousity would also get the better of me! I definately like your observation to stay away from the press! .-= Kirsty – No Place To Be´s last blog ..Random Traveller #6 =-.

As I found out in Vietnam years ago, reconnaisance by exposure is not a very good idea. Because this is not really surreal at all, but all too too REAL. Curiosity is a terrible habit sometimes…Good Luck Buddy. It is your call…

well I’m glad the trip is turning out to be more than visiting temples, drinking beer and sampling the local delicacies. very exciting indeed. way to get out there and live like a local. enjoy your time in cambodia. keep the images coming.